Blog

Velocity in Field Services

by Kevin Benedict

December 5, 2011

Velocity is usually a physics term, but it can also relate to enterprise mobility and field services in particular. The term velocity is often used to describe the speed and direction of an object. In my workshops, I use it in the context of enterprise mobility and field services to describe the ability to quickly bring all required resources (personnel, skill sets, equipment, parts, customers, schedules, etc.) to the point of need (i.e. job site) at the right time in order to optimize production and efficiencies.

How do you increase velocity? It requires real time data exchanges between your mobile workforce, mobile assets, mobile inventories, mobile equipment, customers etc. You need to understand the locations, status, availability and arrival and departure time of all required components.

From a mobile data perspective you need to have real-time mobile data exchanges that include the ability to send and receive the right data, with the right people, at the right time, in the right amounts, on the right devices.

Velocity, in the context of enterprise mobility, is a purposeful strategy. It requires IT infrastructure that is designed to avoid latency in real-time data exchanges. It requires a unified view of the "real-time" status of all relevant players and objects necessary to optimize the delivery of services in the field.